A posed portrait of Danielle

[Ronnoco]

Catchlights are not distracting unless they are small and pointless. Having large catchlights in the eyes brings your attention to the eyes, and then to the portrait as a whole. If they eyes are lifless, then the portrait is lifless.

This image is not ABOUT the catchlights, it's about the lighting. Turning the body (or moving the light, which cannot be done here) will bring more definition to the broad side of the face. This will add more depth and more flattering. Bringing the subject farther away from the window will also soften the light. This is a great image, but it's flat light.

Being in multiple portrait session too, and tearing apart peoples work, and having my work tore apart, I would like to think I learned a little to. But hey, what the hell do I know.

Different nose, different eyes, different hair and different facial shape, so what may work with one model, will not necessarily work with another as to position or lighting. If it is all about lighting then your lighting was a little on the dark side reducing definition from the background on the right. I would suggest that you add a little fill in that area. Off axial use of a reflector in Alison's portrait would add more depth but, as to whether it would be more flattering? It would be necessary to see the model.

Ronnoco

[CaSousa]

Ok, so i was wrong about the catchlights Perhaps it was the rather ethereal feeling that the eyes have in the portrait that threw me off. I'm still quite an amateur at taking portraits, so am open to the learning experiences around me.